Webster could be back

27 April 2011 07:20

Andy Webster may be able to take part in Saturday's game Jim Jefferies is optimistic Andy Webster will be back in action in their defence when they travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock on Saturday. The former Wigan and Rangers defender had to go off at half-time in last Saturday's 3-3 draw with Motherwell with a groin strain. Hearts were leading 2-0 at that point and went 3-0 ahead before Motherwell fought back to secure a 30-3 draw. First-team coach Gary Locke said: "There's a possibility Andy might train before the end of the week. With Marius (Zaliukas) missing we missed Andy when he came off. That was definitely the turning point of the game. He's a big presence at the back for us, a talker, a good leader. Up until then we defended pretty well and until Andy came off I didn't think we were going to concede a goal. But hopefully the big man will be fit for the weekend." Locke also revealed midfielder Ruben Palazuelos is having treatment on a groin problem ahead of the game at Rugby Park. Saturday will see the management team of Locke, manager Jefferies and his assistant Billy Brown return to their former club with the plan of taking three points back to Tynecastle with them to take another step to securing third place. Hearts are seven points clear of fourth-placed Dundee United with four games remaining. Locke said: "If we win on Saturday we put the pressure on Dundee United going to Parkhead (on Sunday) and that's all we can do."